Veteran England midfielder Frank Lampard has admitted he might not be manager Roy Hodgson's automatic choice for a place in the Three Lions' playing eleven, and claimed that he would have no problems playing as a defensive midfielder to stretch his international career.

However, the Chelsea and England ace is still adamant he will still be adding his name to the score sheet as he enters the twilight of his career.

The recent departures of Michael Essien, Raul Meireles and Josh McEachran has left Lampard, John Obi Mikel and Oriol Romeu as the London club's only central midfielders, and the veteran midfielder admits he won't have any issues playing in a more defensive role.

"If it's the case that I'm going to be playing as a holding midfielder, and it looks as though it could be that way, then why not? We had such great success at the back end of last season with that formation. It gave us a new lease of life," The Sun quoted Lampard, as saying.

"A lot of the players we've brought in fit into that role just behind the front man. So it means I play in a slightly different position. But I did it last season and I'll do it again now. It's not a problem," he added.

"We've got a lot of attacking young midfielders but we must have the strength that the Premier League dictates you need. You aren't going to win the title with a completely attack-minded team," he said.

Lampard added: "That's normally our strength - we've got a very solid goalkeeper, back four and midfield. If we can get that blend right, then we can really do something and I don't think it will affect my ability to score goals too much. (ANI)